辛苦你了。
Xinku ni le.
Thank you for your hard work.
Littéralement: Laborious/hard for you.
En 15 secondes
- Acknowledge effort rather than just the result.
- Use it to show empathy for someone's hard work.
- Perfect for service workers, colleagues, and helpful friends.
Signification
This is a warm way to acknowledge someone's effort or hard work. It is like saying 'I see what you did and I appreciate the energy you spent.'
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Receiving a food delivery
外卖到了，辛苦你了！
The delivery is here, thank you for your hard work!
A colleague helps with a report
这份报告谢谢你，辛苦你了。
Thanks for this report, you've worked hard.
A friend drives you to the airport
送我来机场，真是辛苦你了。
Driving me to the airport, you've really gone out of your way.
Contexte culturel
It is almost mandatory to say this to delivery drivers and Didi drivers to show you are a person of good character and 'suzhi' (quality). Usage is very similar, but you might hear it followed by a very polite '{谢谢|xièxie}{喔|ō}' to soften the tone. Managers use it as a 'verbal bonus' to keep morale high. If a manager doesn't say it after a big project, employees might feel undervalued. Students often say it in unison at the end of a class, reflecting the high status of teachers in Chinese society.
The 'Double' Trick
Saying '{辛苦|xīnkǔ}{辛苦|xīnkǔ}' makes you sound much more like a native speaker and adds a layer of warmth and enthusiasm.
Don't forget the 'Le'
Without the '{了|le}', you are just saying the word 'hardship.' The '{了|le}' makes it a social gesture.
En 15 secondes
- Acknowledge effort rather than just the result.
- Use it to show empathy for someone's hard work.
- Perfect for service workers, colleagues, and helpful friends.
What It Means
辛苦你了 is the ultimate social glue in Chinese culture. It acknowledges the physical or mental effort someone has put in. It is more than a simple 'thanks.' It is a way of saying 'I recognize your struggle.' You are validating their hard work. It makes people feel seen and appreciated instantly.
How To Use It
Use it when someone finishes a task for you. Use it when a friend travels a long way to see you. You can say it at the end of a long day. It works as a greeting or a goodbye. Just drop it after the person does something helpful. It is like a verbal pat on the back. It feels warm and sincere every time.
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant when the server brings a heavy tray. Use it when a colleague helps you with a spreadsheet. It is perfect for delivery drivers at your door. Text it to a friend who just finished a big exam. If someone looks tired from helping you, say it. It shows you are not taking them for granted. Even small favors deserve this phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for someone much higher in rank than you. It might sound like you are 'evaluating' their performance. Avoid it if no effort was actually involved. Don't say it if someone just found a dollar on the street. It is for labor, not luck. Also, don't use it sarcastically unless you want a fight. It is meant to be a kind, empathetic expression.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture places a massive value on 'eating bitterness' or hard work. Acknowledging this 'bitterness' is a sign of high emotional intelligence. Historically, labor was physical and grueling. Today, the phrase has moved into the office and home. It reflects the communal nature of Chinese society. We are all working hard together. This phrase keeps the harmony alive.
Common Variations
If you want to be extra polite, use 辛苦您了. Use 大家辛苦了 for a whole group of people. If the work is still ongoing, say 辛苦了. You can add 真是 at the start for emphasis. 真是辛苦你了 means 'You've really worked hard.' It adds a layer of deep sincerity to your gratitude.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly versatile but carries a slight 'top-down' or 'peer-to-peer' vibe. When using it with superiors, always use the polite 'Nin' and ensure your tone is one of deep respect rather than casual acknowledgement.
The 'Double' Trick
Saying '{辛苦|xīnkǔ}{辛苦|xīnkǔ}' makes you sound much more like a native speaker and adds a layer of warmth and enthusiasm.
Don't forget the 'Le'
Without the '{了|le}', you are just saying the word 'hardship.' The '{了|le}' makes it a social gesture.
Reply with 'Bu Xingku'
If someone says {辛苦|xīnkǔ}了 to you, the standard polite reply is '{不|bù}{辛苦|xīnkǔ}' (It wasn't hard) or '{应该|yīnggāi}的' (It's what I should do).
Exemples
6外卖到了，辛苦你了！
The delivery is here, thank you for your hard work!
A very common and polite way to treat service staff.
这份报告谢谢你，辛苦你了。
Thanks for this report, you've worked hard.
Standard professional courtesy among peers.
送我来机场，真是辛苦你了。
Driving me to the airport, you've really gone out of your way.
Shows deep appreciation for a personal favor.
今天的会议很久，大家辛苦了！
Today's meeting was long, good job everyone!
Using the group version to boost morale.
玩了这么久，辛苦你了啊！
Playing for so long, you've really 'worked hard'!
Playful sarcasm among close friends.
做这么多菜，辛苦你了，亲爱的。
Cooking so many dishes, thank you for your hard work, dear.
Expressing love through the recognition of effort.
Teste-toi
Which is the most appropriate response after a delivery driver hands you your food?
The driver says: '{您|nín}{好|hǎo}，{您|nín}{的|de}{外卖|wàimài}。' You say:
{辛苦|xīnkǔ}了 acknowledges the driver's effort in delivering the food.
Fill in the blank to thank your teacher at the end of a lesson.
{老师|lǎoshī}，今天____了。
The standard phrase is '{老师|lǎoshī}，{辛苦|xīnkǔ}了' (Teacher, you've worked hard).
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your friend spent 3 hours helping you fix your computer.
Fixing a computer for 3 hours is significant effort, making {辛苦|xīnkǔ}了 the perfect choice.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesThe driver says: '{您|nín}{好|hǎo}，{您|nín}{的|de}{外卖|wàimài}。' You say:
{辛苦|xīnkǔ}了 acknowledges the driver's effort in delivering the food.
{老师|lǎoshī}，今天____了。
The standard phrase is '{老师|lǎoshī}，{辛苦|xīnkǔ}了' (Teacher, you've worked hard).
Situation: Your friend spent 3 hours helping you fix your computer.
Fixing a computer for 3 hours is significant effort, making {辛苦|xīnkǔ}了 the perfect choice.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but use '{您|nín}{辛苦|xīnkǔ}了' to be safe. It shows you appreciate their leadership.
{谢谢|xièxie} is for the result (thanks for the gift), while {辛苦|xīnkǔ}了 is for the process (thanks for the effort).
Say '{不|bù}{辛苦|xīnkǔ}' (Not hard at all) or '{没事|méishì}' (It's nothing).
Yes, it is very respectful. Just use the '{您|nín}' form.
Absolutely. It's a great way to end a professional email after a request has been fulfilled.
No, but it can imply 'I'm sorry you had to work so hard for me.'
Yes, it is used throughout the Mandarin-speaking world.
Yes, especially if the restaurant is very busy or they provided extra service.
It's neutral. It works in almost any setting.
Yes! It's a very sweet way to acknowledge their help around the house.
Expressions liées
{麻烦|máfan}{你|nǐ}了
similarSorry to trouble you.
{费心|fèixīn}了
specialized formYou've spent a lot of heart/thought on this.
{劳驾|láojià}
similarExcuse me / May I trouble you.
{受|shòu}{累|lèi}了
synonymYou've endured tiredness.
{加油|jiāyóu}
contrastGo for it! / Keep it up!
